'Pittsburgh is my world': Emotional Mike McCarthy introduced as new Steelers coach

Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Jan 27, 2026

Published in Football

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PITTSBURGH — Fighting back tears at what he termed an "overwhelming" and "surreal" opportunity, Mike McCarthy said he is thrilled to return to the NFL as head coach of the team he grew up watching and cheering.

"Often times you put on new team colors and it takes a minute to feel comfortable in those new colors," McCarthy said. "But to be blessed beyond any measure to put on the colors you wore since you were brought home from Mercy Hospital ... Pittsburgh is my world."

McCarthy, 62, was introduced Tuesday at an introductory press conference at Acrisure Stadium — less than five miles from where he grew up in Greenfield, Pa. The scoreboard in the north end zone had a picture of McCarthy with the message, "Welcome home to Pittsburgh."

McCarthy was flown in from his home in Green Bay, Wis., in the morning, signed a five-year contract, and was introduced in front of a gathering of family, friends and a group of current and former Steelers players that included Alex Highsmith, Joey Porter Jr., Mel Blount, Ryan Shazier and Joey Porter Sr.

Team president Art Rooney II, who chose McCarthy from a group of nine candidates, proudly noted the occasion came on the 125th birthday of his grandfather and team founder, Art Rooney Sr.

"I'm very fortunate to call Bill Cowher and Mike Tomlin friends," McCarthy said. "I'm honored to follow in their footsteps. And they left the proverbial cupboard full, for sure."

McCarthy has been out of coaching since his contract wasn't renewed after the Dallas Cowboys went 7-10 in 2024. That, though, came after he led the Cowboys to three consecutive 12-5 seasons and two NFC East titles.

His first order of business is hiring a coaching staff, a process he said is more difficult now because of all the procedures and protocols in place. McCarthy might hire an offensive coordinator, but he said he will call the plays, much as he did with the Packers and Cowboys.

After that, he will focus on the draft and figuring out the quarterback position that may or may not include Aaron Rodgers, whom McCarthy coached for 13 seasons in Green Bay.

"It would be great to have Aaron back," McCarthy said. "But Will Howard and Mason [Rudolph], I'm really, really excited to start with those guys."

McCarthy will be entrusted with more than just maintaining the Steelers' streak of 22 consecutive non-losing seasons, which has included five playoff appearances in the past six years. His primary objective will be to do something Tomlin hasn't been able to do since 2016 — win a playoff game. The Steelers have lost their past seven postseason games, the most recent coming 15 days ago to the Houston Texans.

"I believe in building off what's in place," McCarthy said. "And there's a lot here in place. I mean, it's the defensive system that's been here since 1992 with coach Cowher and Dom Capers. I've always been a fan of it. I always felt it was the toughest one to compete against as an offensive coach.

"When you've got something that works the way it has worked here for so long, I think you should try to do everything you can to build off that, if possible."

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